Editor’s note: Michael Hearn was originally featured in Success Story in January 2021, and we recently followed up with him.
Where he is on his journey: “I had bariatric surgery in April 2019, which accounted for the first 60 to 70 pounds lost. But after that, it was a combination of exercise and diet,” Hearn said. “I reached my 200-pound weight-loss goal in 2021; I have kept the weight off while still losing at a slower rate. In mid-2021, I created a new personal goal of completing 100 half-marathons in all 50 states.”
Age: 58
Personal life: “I am an Atlanta native, I live in Sandy Springs. I have been married for 29 years with two grown kids,” Hearn said. “I created an Instagram site chronicling my race journey: https://www.instagram.com/myroadto200/. My main focus is providing in-home care for a terminal parent. I have spent most of my career in consulting and IT program and financial management, and look forward to going back.”
The lifestyle change: “On my 55th birthday in November 2018, I realized that I was running out of time to make a meaningful change in my life,” Hearn said. “... I decided to begin the preparatory process for bariatric surgery, which included a psychological evaluation as well as a consultation with a nutritionist. Both were very helpful in understanding the behavioral aspects of obesity and addiction.”
Change in eating habits: “I eat smaller portions but more often, focusing on protein and avoiding foods like sodas, snacks and bread,” Hearn said.
Michael’s how-tos:
1. “To accept that a major lifestyle change was needed — not a temporary fix, but a permanent adjustment to habits that I had practiced for years.”
2. “Seek out the best medical advice on the options available. I was blessed with an excellent set of doctors who were clear up front that bariatric surgery was not a miracle cure, just an enabler.”
3. “Be patient and stay focused on the long-term goal. This does not happen overnight, and there were extended periods where my weight loss would slow or stop, creating frustration and doubt. Doing the right things always kept me in the right direction.”
Exercise routine: “Several months after my surgery, I was profoundly motivated by a documentary about ultramarathons — it took over a year of training, but I completed my first half-marathon in mid-2021,” Hearn said.
Biggest challenge: “I always found getting started was easy — there was always short-term enthusiasm for a diet. ... But it was a mirage because the real issue was understanding why I could never keep the weight off. I had always viewed it as a sprint, after which I could just settle back into my bad habits,” Hearn said. “Good health is a marathon with no finish line.”
Michael’s top tips:
1. “Set realistic expectations. ... If your strategy is to go fast, cheap and lazy, you will fail.”
2. “Surround yourself with people who share your renewed goals toward fitness and health — there are a lot of well-intentioned enablers in the world who will only slow or stop your progress.”
3. “Don’t worry about a weight number on a scale. Instead, focus on things that actually mean something in your life, such as clothes you can now wear ... things you can enjoy doing that were either difficult or impossible before.”
How has life changed: “I am thankful that God provided me with an opportunity to make a meaningful change in my life while I still could,” Hearn said. “... In April 2022, I was able to complete a half-marathon at Notre Dame with my daughter and will be in another half this fall in the Cascades with my son. I can actually be a part of their active lives and be a positive role model for them instead of a chronically overweight person filled with good intentions.”
Seeking readers’ stories of lifestyle changes: We’re looking for stories about changing health habits. While The Atlanta Journal-Constitution does not endorse any specific programs, we include names and links for the benefit of readers who want further information. If you would like to share your story of a lifestyle change, please contact reporter Michelle C. Brooks and include your email address, phone number, and before and after photos (by mail or JPEG). You can email her directly at: ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.
